Track ballasting



Oct. 8, 1929. T. J. LAVAN TRACK BALLASTING Filed Oct. 18, 1927 4Sheets$heet 1 IZ/ 1 1' Thomas J Lava-n.

' Oct. 8, 1929. T. J. LAVAN 1,731,014

TRACK BALLASTING Filed Oct. 18, 1927 4 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 8, 1929. T.J. LAVAN 1,731,014

TRACK BALLASTING Filed Oct. 18. 1927 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Thomas J- Laoannventor Attoxngss Oct. 8, 1929. T. J. LAVAN TRACK BALLASTING Filed Oct.18. 1927 4 Sheets--Shee t 4 u beneath these bearing plates, and meansfor invention may assume.

Patented Oct. 8, 1929 UNETED STATES THOMAS J. LAVAIT, 0L CLEVEL n,OI-IIO TRACK BALLAS'TING Application filed October 18, 1527.

My invention relates to track ballasting.

At the present time it is quite usual to construct street railway tracksin paved streets by forming a trench, laying the track therein 5 by theuse of what are con'in'ionly known as twin ties, blocking the whole toraise the top or the rails to the level of the top of the pavement, andthen pouring concrete into the trench usually to the level of the top 0the bearing plates of the twin ties. in some cases the concrete flowsunder the twin ties sulliciently to form a base strong enough towithstand fairly well the loads imparted to it by the passage oilrolling stock along the track, and in such cases the track stands upreas *1- ably well; in other cases the concrete flex. 0 under the tiesto such a lesser extent that the abutment is of an area entirelyinsuliicientto withstand the loads so imparted to it, and in :0 suchcase the track fails quickly. in any case the presence of any unfilledspace beneath the bearing plates tends to hasten failure of the trackinstallation not only because it reduces the area of the concreteabutment but 5 also because it permits frost deterioration of theconcrete bed by providing a pocket in which moisture may collect.

T he principal object of my invention is to provide a. method forforcing the concrete carrying out this method, and in the drawingsaccompanying this specification, and l orn'iing a part of thisapplication, 1 have shown, tor purposes of illustration, one form whichmy in these dra vings:

Figure 1 is a view showing a track of the type above referred toconstructed according to the embodiment of my invention herein 4sclosed, the four portions of the figure showing the track in foursuccessive stages 01: construct-ion,

Figures 2 through 5 are sections respectively on the lines 22, 3-3,4r4c, and 55, of Figure 1,.Figures 3 and d sho ving also the inc-ansherein disclosed for carrying out the method of construction hereindisclosed, while Figure 6 is a plan view of this herein disclosed means.

Serial tion herein disclosed the trench 11 is formed,

and the track is assembled therein by securing the rails 12 to thebearing plates 13 of twin ties 14 which comprise in addition to thebearing plates 13 cross ties 15 riveted to the bearing plates 18 anduseful particularly to hold the bearing plates 18 properly spaced andassen'iblcd into a single unit and the assembled track is then raiseduntil the top of tie rails 12 reach the level to be assumed bythepavemcnt, and the track is blocked in this raised position, all inthe usual manner, the track at this point in its construction beingshown in clan in the top portion of Figure 1,

l. and in section in F igure 2. Next the concrete 16 is poured into thetrench 11 approximately to the level of the top of the bearing plates13, again in the usual manner, the track at this point in itscoi'astruction being shown in plan in the second portion of Figure 1,and in sec tion in Figure According to ordinary construction theconcrete then is leveled oli' roughly, and hand tamping is relied uponto cause concrete to flow beneath the bearing plates 13, and theditliculties herein above recited rcl aarine' ilates 13 on the two sidesthereof over considerable area on each sioe oi: the bearing plate 13 andin a direction to force the concrete to flow under the bearing plate 13to completely fill the space beneath the bearing plate 13 and betweenthe bearing plate 18 and the bottom of the trench 11, and this result isaccomplished by the machine shown in elevation in Figures 3 and at andin plan in Figure (5.

This machine herein shown comprises a car 17 built upontwo pair oflongitudinal channels 18 extending the length of the car, supporting, inthe two channels of each pair, axles 19 on which are mounted wheels 20formed to ride upon the rails 12 of the track being constructed,supporting, at their rear ends and ad acent their front ends, a pair ofcross channels 21 serving to unite th long1tudinal channels into aunitary frame and also to support a car platform 22, and supporting, attheir front ends in advance of the front cross channel 21, a pair ofmechanism supporting cross channels 23 and 2t Depending; from thechannels 23 am. 24 are four pair supporting plates 25, and n1 unted ineach pair of supporting plates 25 is a double-acting pneumatic cylinderhaving a connection 27 leading to the chamber ahead of the piston headhaving a connection 28 leading to the chamber in rear of the pistonhead, and carrying on its piston head a piston rod 29 the outer end ofwhich is secured a head 30. The cylinders 26 are so located, and aredisposed at such an angle, that projection of he piston rods 29 willcause the heads 30 to the ballast on the two sides Of the two aearine'plates 13 and force the concrete beneath the bearin plates 13 into thespaces between the bearing plates 13 and the bottom of the trench 11,and compact th concrete in these spaces, thus to fill these spacestightly with compacted concrete.

Gpcration of the heads 30 in unison is etfGCtQd by a single controlvalve t oi LO which is connected duct 32 leading from a source ofcompressed (not shown) a duct 33 leading to the cylinder connections 27,and a duct 3% leading to the cylinder connections 28, the valve 31 beingof a usual construction by which in one position the duct 33 is openedto atmosphere and the duct 34 connected to the supply duct 32 to supplyair rearwardly of the piston heads and advance the piston rods 29 andheads 30 from the retracted position shown in Figures 3 and 6 to tiadvanced position shown in Figure 4, and by which in the other positionthe duct 35: is opened to atmosphere and the duct 33 connected to thesupply cuct 32 to eitect the reverse movement.

From a consideration of the above descrip tion it will be obvious tothose skilled in the that when this machine,v with the heads 30retracted, is moved into position with the heads 30 above the bearing;plates 13 of twin tie about which the concrete has been poured but underthe bearing plates of which the concrete has not yet been compressed,all as shown in plan for the track in the second portion of Figure 1 andfor the machine in Figure 6, and elevation in Figure 3, then actuationof the cylinders 26 will cause the piston rods 29 and heads 30 toadvance somewhat downwardly but generally laterally to force theconcrete under the-bearing plates 13 until the entire space beneath thebearing plates 13, and

between the bearing plates 13 and the bOtLOlTl of the trench 11, hasbeen tightly filled with compacted concrete, and the track has reachedthat stage o'l construction shown in plan in the third portion of Figurel and in elevai i igure i, and the machine has reached he position shownin elevation in Figure 4, lso that reverse actuation of the cylinders 26will withdraw the piston rods 29 and heads 30 into the retractedposition of Figures 3 and 6 to permit the car 17 to be advanced intoposition ready for the succeeding operation of the machine, thedepressions made by the heads laterally of the bearing plates 13preterably being filled in any suitable manner, as by introducing handthe ex ess concrete usually piled up intermediate the rails 12.

While my invention does not contemplate any exact dimensions for theheads 30 it will be ol ions to those skilled in the art that the angleand movement of the heads 30 must be so proportioned that the heads 30.acting on the concrete in the manner in which it is being deposited,will intercept and carry forward an amount of concrete sulhcient totightly fill with compacted concrete the spaces beneath thebearingplates 13 and between the bearingplates 13 and the bottom of thetrench 11, and accordingly it will be understood that the angle andmovement or" the heads 30 must be coordinated, and that the manner ofdepositing" the concrete in the trench must be correlated with theresult of the coordination of the angle and movementot the heads 30.Ohviously the heads 30 can be made of any width sufficient to cause theforce imparted by the roads to continue as a thrust forcing the concreteunder the bearing plates 13 rather than a wedge moving the concreteaside longitudinally of the track, but where a machine is to be usedregularly in connection with twin tie track construction it of coursewill be advantageous to form the heads of the same width as the spacebetween the cross ties of the twin ties, so that each operation of themachine will till the entire spaces under the two bearing plates of thetwin tie being operated on thus permitting the machine to be moved anentire twin tie spacing between each operation and the operation nextsucceeding. lt of course will be obvious to those shilled in the artthat my invention may be applied to constructions other than thoseembodying twin ties set in concrete ballast, and that both the m thodand means of my invention may be variously changed and altered from themethod and means herein specifically disclosed, both with the type oftrack construction herein specifically consiccred and also to adapt myinvention to other types of track construction to which it may beapplicable. all without departing from the spirit of my invention orsacrificing the advantages there of, including both those advantagesherein specifically pointed out or suggested and also those otheradvantages which will be discernible to those skilled in the art.

Therefore it will be understood that the disclosure herein isillustrative only. and teat my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim 'l. lhe method of introducing ballast to fill tightly the spacebeneath a track-supporting member between said member and the under-bed,which comprises: depositing ballast about said member; and then applyingpressure to such ballast adjacent said member on opposite sides ol saidmember simul taneously, on each side over a considerable area simulaneously and in a direction to force such ballast under said member andcompact such ballastin said space thus to till said space tightly withcon'ipacted ballast.

2. The method of introducing concrete ballast to iill tightly the spacebeneath a tracksuoporting member between said member and the under-bed,which comprises: dcpositing such concrete about said mcn'iber; and thenapplying pressure to such concrete adjacent said member over aconsiderable area simultaneously and in a direction to force suchconcrete to flow under said member and compact such concrete in saidspace thus to fill said space tightly with compacted concrete.

3. The method 01 introducing concrete ballast to fill tightly the spacebeneath a tracksupporting member be Ween said member and and theunder-bed, which comprises: dcpositing such concrete about said member;and t1 en applying generally lateral pressure to such. concrete adjacentsaid member over a considerable area simultaneously to force suchconcrete to flow from beside said member into said space and compactsuch concrete in said space thus to tillsaid space tightly withcompacted concrete.

4;. The metpiod oi? introducing concrete ballastto fill tightly thespace beneath a trackf-aupporting member between said member and theundei bed, which comprises: depositing such concrete about said member;and then inp: pr ssure to such concrete adjacent member on oppositesides of said member simiutaneouslyw on each side over considcrablc areasimultaneously and in a directtion to r'orce such concrete to flow undersaid i'i'iember and compact such concrete in said space thus to lillsaid space tightly with compacted concrete The method of introducingballast to itly the space beneath track-supportf twin-tie bearing platebetween said bearplate and the under-bed, which comscs: depositingballast about said bearing to and then applying pressure to such ballzutadjacent said bearing plate over a considerable area simultaneously andin a direction to force such ballast under said bearing and compact suchballast in said e thus to fill said space tightly with pacted ballast.Th method of introducing ballast to fill tightly the space beneath atrack-simportmg twin-tie bearing plate between said bearing plate andthe under-bed, which comprise: depositing ballast about said bearplate;and then applying pressure to such ballast adjacent said bearing plateon opposite sides of said bearing plate simultaneously on each side overa considerable area sin'iultaneously and in a direction to force suchballast under said bearing plate and compact such ballast in said spacethus to fill said space tightly with compacted ballast.

7. The method of introducing concrete ballast to fill tightly the spacebeneath a track-supporting twin-tie bearing plate between said bearingplate and the under-bed, which comprises: depositing such concrete aboutsaid bearing plate; and then applying pressure to such concrete adjacentsaid bearing plate over a consioerablc area simultaneously and in adirection to force such concrete to flow under said bearing plate andcompact such concrete in said space thus to fill said space tightly withcompacted concrete.

8. The method oi introducing concrete ballast to fill tightly the spacebeneath a traclo supporting twin-tie bearing plate between said bearingplate and the under-bed which COll'lpl'lSfi: depositing such concreteabout said bearing plate; and then applying pressure to such concreteadjacent said bearing plate on opposite sides of said bearing platesiu'lultaneous y, on each side over a considerarea simultaneously and ina direction to force such concrete to flow under said bearing plate andcompact such concrete in said space thus to lill said space tightly withcoinpac ed concrete. The method of ntroducing ballast to fill tightlythe space beneath a track-supportinp; twin-ti bearing plate between saidbearing plate and the under-bed, which comprises depositing ballastabout said bearing plate; and then applyii'ig generally lateral pressureto such ballast a-tiljacent said bearing plate, over a considerable areasimultaneously, to tl'orce such ballast from beside said bearing plateinto said space and compact such ballast in said space thus to till saidspace tightly with compacted ballet-2t.

10. The method of introducing concrete ballast to fill tightly the spacebeneath a traclesupportingr twin-tie bearing plate be tween said bearingplate and the under-bed, which comprises: depositing such concrete aboutsaid bearing plate; and then applying' generally lateral pressure tosuch con crete adjacent said bearing plate, over a considerable areasimultaneously, to force such concrete to flow from beside s id bearingplate into said space and compact such concrete in l space thus to fillsaid space tightly with compacted concrete.

11. A machine for introducing ballast (lo-- posited about atrack-supporti11g twiirtie into the space beneath a bearing; plate ofsaid twin-tie and between said bearing pl, l

he under-bed, to fill said space tightly With compact such concretebeneath said bearing such ballast Well-compacted, comprising: a platebetween said bearing plate and such car; a pair of heads, each of largearea and under-bed i adapted to contact such ballast sunuitane- Amachine for introducing ballast deously over a large area, supportedfrom said positeu about attack-supporting twin-tie car to contact suchballast on both sides of int tle space beneath a bearing plate of saidbearing plate; and head 0 aerating means sai i i between said bearingplate carried by said car for applying maid heads and "he L11 ler-b tosuch ballast adjac nt said bearing plate W'th s l i a on opposite sidesof said bearing plate and ng: a ct run; ing on the track being balthensimultaneously moving said heads asted; a pair of heads, each of largearea and against such ballast in directions to force adapt-c to contactsuch ballast simultanesuch ballast under saio bearing plate simuI- uslyover a large area, supported from said tanecusly from opposite sides ofsaid bearcar to contact such ballast on both sides ing ,late and tocompact such ballast beof said bearing plate; and head operating 30 we,said bearin slate between said bcar- I1G?JGS'CE7 il0l by said aifor a lin said 2: l L e t) ieals LO such ballast adjacei said bearing A machinefor introducing ballast deplate on OPPOSHQ s1 1 id bearing plat late andsuch under-bed.

l 185; of s posited about a track-supporting twin-tie a d thensimultaneously moving said heads -e spa es benea 1" nst sucn Jail; indirections to force l the earn. Win-tie and between 5 Y allast undersaid bearing plate simulbed, to ill saic siac 1 in opposite sides ofsaid bearing cted, c n "s c, a compact suca lalast beneath Ti 1 suchballast Wen-conip ing: a car; two pairs or heads, plate between saicJearing plate of large area and adapted to co -der-bed. ballastsimultaneously over l ine for introducing ballast desaid pairs of headssupport ,l fro-r. said that a tra ii-supporting twin-tie inar to contactsuch ballast on both side? or said bearing plates, each pair to contactsuch ballast n both sides of the corresponding said bearing plate; 211heal at beneath the bearing plates of i d between said bearing plates u;the undered, to fill said spaces tightly i' such ballast Well-compacted,compris d ing means carried by said car for 7 l 'ng: a car running onthe track being ballasting each pair of said heads to such i re pairs oiheads, each head of large adjacent the corresponding said bee in ea eicada ted to contact such ballast si- 1 erge area, said pairs or" 1 0 onopposite sides of saic bearin plate n1 ltan ously over a then movingsaid heats agains uch ballast in directions tot'orce s eh .oillast under1 d ca 'c caring plate from opp site Si( es or bearing plate, 1opera-sing n s i t i Wis W, .1 ,1 1 A H 1 ac cs supp i ted ii chi saidon to contact seen rding' said bearing plate; and

1 moving each pair of heads aga'iist such bal- (sting means carried bysaid car for 5 simultaneously tius to iorce such balapplying each pa rof said heads to such ball l ccrresp riding said boa ng ii id acent thecorrespondi g said bearing neousl from opposite side' d to coiuoact such'ween said l i i 13. A machine for introducing concrete A ballast deposa track-supporting p "Win-tie into beneath bearing last simueo plate ofsaid twin-tie and be unde the. c ing' and the under-bed, simultaneei slyt' tlv with such concrete bearing pl c prising: a can; a pair 0 neathsaid 1 large ar a a -d ada; ted to c plate and such r-oed. or issimultaneously ore: a 16. A nachin for introducing ballast deported fromsaid car to con posited about a track-supporting twin-tie crete on bothsides of said earing' 1 late; and into the space beneath a bearing plateof said head operating means carried by saic car for twin-tie and.between l bearing plate and applying said head to such concrete adjatheunder-bed, to fill said space tightly with cent said bearing plate onopp site sides of such ballast WGll-COHPZiCiZQCl, comprising: a 335 saidbearing p ate and tl en simultaneously or moving said heads against suchconcrete in adapted to contact such ballast simultaneousdirections forcesuch concrete to flow i Y over large area, supp rted from said car undersaid bearing plate simultaneously from to cm such ballast on both sidesor said opposite sides of said caring slate and to hearing plate; andhead operating means ear- 1 r' plate or ricd by said our for impartingto said heads a movement applying said heads to such ballast adjacentsaid bearine' plate on opposite sides of said bearing plate and then.simultzmeour-a m ovingg' said he ds against such hallast in directionsto force such bcllast under said bearing; plate sinuiltancously fromopposite sides oil said bear ng plate, and to compact such ballast)eneath. said bearing plate between said bear; plate and the U24der-bcd.

17. A mac vine for introducing concrete deposited about atraclrcupporting into the sisce beneath a bearing aid twin-tie andbetween sai d bearing plate and the underbed, to lill said space tightlywith such concrete well-compacted, comprising: car; a pair of heads,each of large area uni adapted to contact such concrcte simultaneouslyover a large area, supported in said car to contact such concrete onboth sides of said bearing; plate; and head operating means carried bysaid our for imparting to said heads a movement applying laid heads tosuch concrete adjacent said bearing plate on opposite sides of saidbearing plate and then simultaneously moving said heads against suchconcrete in directions to force such concrete to flow under d bearingplate simultaneously from opposite sides of said bearing plate, a d tocompact such concrete beneath said bearing plate between sai d caringplate and the under-bed.

18. A machine for introducing ballast c poiited about a track-suppertwin-tic into the space beneath a bearing plate of said twin-tie andbetween said bearing; plate and the 1mdcr-bed, to {ill said spacetightly with such ballast well-compactec, comprising: a car; a pair ofheads, each of large area. and adapted to contact such ballastsimultaneously over a large area, supported from said er to contact suchballast on both sides of said bearing plate; and head operating; meanscarried by said at for impnrtirur to said heads a generally lateralmovement applying said heads to such ballast adjacent said bearing plateon opposite sides or" said bearing plate and then 'nultaneously movingsaid heads against such ballast in directions to force such ballastunder sc simultaneously from o 'iposiie sides or hearing plate, and tocompact such ballastbeneath said bearing plate between said hearingplate and the under-bed.

19. machine for introducing concrete ballast deposited aluiuit atra:xlosupporting twin-tie into the space beneith a bearing plate ofsuit twin-tie and between said lmnrlong; plate and the under-bed, tofill said space tightly with such concrete well-compacted, comprising: acar; a. pair of heads, each of large area and adapted to contact suchconcrete simultaneously over a large area, supported. from said car tocontact such concrete on both sides of said bearing plate; and headoperating means carried by said our for imparting to said heads agenerally lateral movement applying; said heads to such concreteadjacent said bearing plate on opposite sides of said bearing plate andthen simultaneously moving said heads against such concrete indirections to force such concrete to flow under said bearing platesimultane ously from opposite sides of said bearing plate, and tocompact such concrete beneath said bearing plate between said bearingplate and the under-be 20. A. machine for introducing ballast depositedabout a track-supporting twin-tie into the space beneath a bearing plateof said twin-tie and between said bearing plate and the under-bed, toill]. said space tightly with such ballast well-compacted, comprising: acar; a pair of heads, each of large area, and adapted to contact suchballast simultaneously over a large area, supported from said. car tocontact such ballast on both sides of said bearing plnte; and headooerating means carried by said car for imparting to said heads agenerally lateral straight-line movement applyingsaid heads so suchballast adjacent said bearing plate on opposite sides ofsaid hearingplate and then simultaneously moving said heads against such bal ast indirections to force such ballast under said bearing plate simultaneouslyfrom opposite sides of said bearing plate, and to compact such ballastbeneath said bearing plate between said bearing plate and the under-bed.

21. A machine for introducing concrete ballas deposited about atrack-srugporting twin-tie into the space beneath a bearing plate ofsaid twin-tie and between said bearins plate and the under-bed, to lillsaid space tightly with such concrete well-compacted, comprising: a car;a pair of heads, each of large area and adapted to contact such concretesimultaneously over large area, supported from sai d car to contact suchconcrete on both 5: L of bearing plate; and head operating; meanscarried by said our for imparting to said heads a generally lateralstraight-line moven'icnt applying said heads to such concrete adjacentsaid bearing plate on opposite sides of said bearing plate and thensimultaneously moving said heads against such concrete in directions toforce such concrete to {low under said bearing plate simultaneously fromopposite sides of said bearing plate, and to compact such concretebeneath said bearing plate between said bearingz' plate and theunder-bed.

In testimony whereof I hereunto my signature. i

c THOMAS J. LAVAN.

